Federal authorities have arrested a 29-year-old man accused of using social media to offer a $45,000 bounty for the killing of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, in what investigators describe as a chilling online threat that could have inspired further violence.
The suspect, identified as Tyler Maxon Avalos, was taken into custody on October 16 after an anonymous tipster contacted the FBI about a disturbing post shared on TikTok earlier this month. According to federal court documents, the post featured a photo of Bondi marked with a red sniper-scope dot on her forehead and text that read:
“WANTED: Pam Bondi / REWARD: $45,000 DEAD OR ALIVE / (PREFERABLY DEAD).”
Investigators say Avalos captioned the post with an ominous message:
“Cough cough. When they don’t serve us, then what?”
FBI: Threat Was ‘Credible and Deliberate’
Federal prosecutors said Avalos’ online activity went beyond political commentary, describing it as a “calculated attempt to incite violence against a federal official.”
The TikTok account in question, operating under the handle “@Wacko,” included an anarchy symbol in its profile picture and linked to a digital version of An Anarchist FAQ, a document often circulated among anti-government extremists.
After the post began circulating, a concerned user captured screenshots and alerted authorities. Within hours, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force launched a coordinated operation to locate Avalos. He was arrested at his residence without incident, officials confirmed.
In a statement released after the arrest, the Department of Justice said:
“Threats against public officials will not be tolerated. The First Amendment protects free speech, but it does not protect calls for murder or violence. This case demonstrates our continued commitment to protecting the safety of federal employees and law enforcement officers.”
A Troubling History of Violence
Court filings detail a lengthy criminal history for Avalos, including prior convictions for stalking, domestic assault, and harassment.
- In 2016, he was convicted of domestic battery in Florida, following an incident in which he allegedly assaulted a former partner.
- In 2022, he was convicted of stalking in Minnesota, after reportedly harassing a local journalist online.
Authorities said Avalos had been on probation until earlier this year. His social media accounts revealed escalating rhetoric in recent months, with posts expressing hostility toward government officials, police, and public institutions.
A law enforcement official familiar with the investigation said Avalos’ behavior showed signs of “escalating radicalization” over the past year.
“He went from ranting about corruption to openly promoting violence,” the official said. “What’s most concerning is that he appeared to be seeking attention and validation for doing it.”
Federal Charges Filed
Avalos is now facing a federal charge of interstate transmission of a threat to injure another person, a serious offense that carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years and significant fines.
According to the criminal complaint, investigators traced the TikTok account to an IP address associated with Avalos’ home internet service. During the search of his residence, FBI agents reportedly seized multiple electronic devices, handwritten notes referencing “targets,” and a computer hard drive containing violent imagery.
While investigators say no weapons were found at his home, prosecutors emphasized that the threat itself constitutes a federal crime, regardless of whether Avalos intended to act on it.
“When an individual publicly offers a bounty on the life of a U.S. official, that’s not free speech — that’s a felony,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Hebert, who is overseeing the case. “Our office will pursue such threats aggressively to ensure they never translate into real-world violence.”
A Broader Pattern of Threats
Avalos’ arrest comes just two weeks after Attorney General Pam Bondi announced another high-profile case involving threats against conservative media personalities.
Earlier this month, George Isabel Jr. was taken into custody for allegedly mailing a letter threatening to kill political commentator Benny Johnson and harm his family. Authorities say the letter referenced the recent assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, suggesting it was part of a disturbing wave of copycat threats targeting conservative figures.
Bondi, speaking at a press conference following Isabel’s arrest, condemned the trend of politically motivated violence and vowed to protect both public officials and private citizens from intimidation.
“This type of behavior has no place in a civil society,” Bondi said at the time. “We will use every tool available to hold accountable those who believe threats and violence are a form of protest.”
Following Avalos’ arrest, Bondi’s office released a brief statement thanking law enforcement agencies for their swift response.
“We are grateful to the FBI and federal prosecutors for their quick action,” the statement read. “Attorney General Bondi continues to perform her duties without fear or hesitation.”
Online Radicalization and the Rise of Extremist Threats
Experts say the Avalos case highlights the growing challenge of combating online radicalization, particularly on social media platforms where extremist ideologies can spread quickly.
Dr. Evan Raines, a researcher specializing in domestic extremism at the University of Pennsylvania, said digital echo chambers often push unstable individuals toward violent fantasies.
“Social media platforms can amplify the most dangerous voices,” Raines explained. “Once an individual feels part of an imagined struggle — whether anarchist, ideological, or conspiratorial — they can begin to see violence as justified or even heroic.”
While TikTok removed Avalos’ account shortly after his arrest, screenshots of the post have continued to circulate online, prompting renewed debate over the role of tech companies in identifying and reporting threats.
Lawmakers from both parties have since called for stronger cooperation between social media platforms and law enforcement to prevent similar incidents.
A Growing Security Concern
Sources close to Bondi’s office say the Attorney General has been under heightened security protection since late September, when federal investigators began tracking an uptick in online threats against high-ranking officials.
Although officials declined to discuss specific measures, one security advisor said recent incidents have prompted “a top-to-bottom review of protection protocols” for members of the Justice Department.
“It’s not just about protecting one person,” the advisor said. “It’s about sending a message that intimidation will not work — not against this government, not against the people who serve it.”
Awaiting Trial
As of Monday, Avalos remains in federal custody pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for later this month. Prosecutors are expected to request that he be denied bail, citing both his criminal history and the nature of the threats.
Court-appointed defense attorney Laura Simons has so far declined to comment publicly, but legal experts predict the case could hinge on whether the prosecution can prove intent to incite or carry out violence.
Under federal law, online speech crosses the line into criminal territory when it constitutes a “true threat” — one that a reasonable person would interpret as a genuine intent to cause harm.
If convicted, Avalos could face up to five years in federal prison and additional penalties for violating probation terms from his previous convictions.
Conclusion
The arrest of Tyler Maxon Avalos underscores the volatile intersection of social media, ideology, and violence in modern America. Authorities say his alleged attempt to put a bounty on the life of Attorney General Pam Bondi is not only a federal crime but also a grim reminder of the risks faced by public figures in an era of digital extremism.
As Bondi continues her work at the Department of Justice, officials hope this latest case will serve as a warning that violent threats — no matter how they’re delivered — will meet the full force of the law.